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About this quote

What does it mean?
Every positive experience has a negative counterpart, and vice versa.
In plain terms
Good and bad go together.
What can you take from it?
Life involves mixed outcomes.

Where it applies

  • decision making
  • life reflection

Putting it to work

  • expect tradeoffs
  • accept complexity

Questions to consider

  • What sweet comes with a sour?
  • How do you handle tradeoffs?

Another view

Not all things balance out neatly.

More from Ralph Waldo Emerson

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  3. I must be myself. I cannot break myself any longer for you, or you. If you can love me for what I am, we shall be the happier. If you cannot, I will still seek…

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